Adira's POV
The morning began with my phone buzzing like a siren.
At first, I thought it was another investor email. Then I saw the notifications.
Trending #1 in the UK: "Adira & The Secret Billionaire."
My heart lurched. I clicked.
There we were me and Jayden, walking near the river after dinner, our bodies angled too close, his hand brushing my cheek in one blurry frame. The captions screamed what Ashley wanted the world to believe:
Williams Heiress Caught in Midnight Tryst.
Who Really Owns Her Success?
My chest tightened. They weren't just questioning my reputation now. They were questioning my independence, my entire empire as if I was just some puppet dancing on a man's strings.
"Don't panic." Jayden's voice was calm, steady, when he arrived at my office later that morning.
"Easy for you to say," I snapped, shoving my phone toward him. "Look at this! They're saying you own me that everything I've built is because of you."
For a second, something flickered in his eyes, something I couldn't name. Then it was gone, replaced by steel.
"Let them talk," he said. "Scandals burn fast. The truth doesn't."
"But this" I pressed my palms against the desk, fighting the sting in my eyes. "This isn't just a rumor. It's my company, Jayden. My life. I can't let anyone think I'm only here because of a man."
His hand hovered near mine, not touching, but close enough to make my breath hitch. "Adira, you're more than strong enough to fight this. But you don't have to fight it alone."
For a heartbeat, I almost let myself believe him. Almost.
Ashley's POV
Ashley lounged across her sofa, phone in hand, watching the chaos she'd ignited spread like wildfire.
"Perfect," she murmured. "Adira wanted a crown? Let's see how well it fits when the world thinks she slept her way into it."